Clothes-line clamp



(No Model.)

A. W. BRISTOW.

CLOTHES LINE CLAMP.

No 285,005. Patented Sept. 18, 1883.

( ar/ wag! %%5 M PETERS WW. Wznhington. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT W. BRISTOW, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

, CLOTHES-LINE CLAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,005, dated September 18, 1883.

' Application filed October 14, 1882. (No model) To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT NV. Bnrsrow, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Mas sachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clothes-Line Clamps; and .I do hereby declare that the same arefully described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

This invention is an improved device de signed to secure a clothes-line at either end or at any intermediate point, its construction being such as to permit the line to be introduced sidewise to its place behindthe pivoted pinchbar or cam-lever. A

The invention is a new article of manufacture,a clothesline clamp consisting of a base formed with a fulcrum-arm connected to it at one side only, and a grooved cam-lever or pinch-bar pivoted thereon.

The invention also consists in such device having the upper end of its fulcrum arm or pivot provided with an offset or protuberance serving to retain the pivoted bar in position when the clamp is in use.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation, Fig. 2 a plan, and Fig. 3 a vertical central section, of my device.

A is the base, and B the fulcrum-arm projecting from one side thereof horizontally and then vertically, the vertical part being of a generally cylindrical character to form a pivot, and having a head or projection, O, at its top, which prevents the grooved lever from dis placement when in use. This projection is preferably cast with the arm and base, but may be formed subsequently or secured there- The lever Dis grooved on its inner face to receive the clothes-line L, and is shown as formed with an elongated opening, E, through its larger part, to slip on over the'similarly-shaped head 0 of the arm B. WVhen the parts have this shape and are in the position shown in Fig. 2, which is their working position, the lever cannot slip off its pivot, although when turned to another position it can be readily applied and removed.

The line L is introduced sidewise between the lever. and base, and is clamped between the base and short arm of the lever by the strain applied to its long arm, the outer extremity and lower edge of said lever being extended somewhat to keep the line from slipping off when slackened.

The base A is provided with a projection, as at F, to keep the line from dropping below the. clamping end of the lever D. I also notch the base, as at G G, to receive the edge or edges of the grooved lever D, so that should the line break near to the lon g arm transferring the strain to the shorter one, the lever would turn on its pivot and pinch or clamp the line against that part of the base between the grooves G G. In such case the edges of the lever in the grooves "would serve to prevent the lever working up and off from its pivot.

The advantage of sidewise insertion of the line, rendered possible by reason of supporting the pivot or fulcrum from one edge only of the base, is obvious, particularly where the central part of the line is to be applied to it, since such part could not be entered endwise without great annoyance.

I am aware that various forms of clamping devices have been employed for line-fastenings, each destitute of the base with its integral arm and the grooved lever loosely mounted thereon; hence my invention is limited to a device combining these features.

I claim as my invention- The grooved pinch-bar D, eccentrically pivoted, as shown, in combination with the base having a fulcrum-arm, B, supported from one side "only of the base, and provided with a terminal projection, G, adapted to retain the bar in position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I heretoaffix my sig nature in presence of two witnesses.

} ALBERT w. BRISTOW.

\Vitnesses:

A. H. SPENCER, E. A. PHELPS. 

